Well, Romney did it. After caving to his conservative base, he named the architect of what can be described as the single most destructive budget in recent memory as his running mate. He now owns this approach to the fiscal future of the United States of America, and has no way to back-track on it.
And he doesn't have to, even if he perhaps should. Paul Ryan was actually a brilliant (albeit dangerous) choice for two core reasons. More after the Orange....thing?
For all the squawking from all the pundits, there has been wide agreement that Paul Ryan is exactly the man he presents himself to be. A mid-western upbringing in a close knit community, he very nearly embodies the conservative ideal. A family man, christian, anti-abortion; all the things right-leaning voters look for. Nearly his entire life has been in public service in one form or another, so vetting is already well done. What few mis-steps may have been made (such as a stock sale), were completely legal at the time, and often done by many polititians of all stripes. He is a man of his convictions, and never attempts to hide where he stands; an admirable trait for anyone of any walk of life.
That conviction is the first reason Paul Ryan is a dangerous addition to Mitt Romney's campaign. Mitt Romney himself has been accused (and often rightfully so) of changing his position to suit whatever audience he is in front of. Paul Ryan has no such issues. Throughout his career, he has unwaveringly told where he stood on any given policy, much of this solidified in his budget proposal passed by the House.
Mr. Ryan absolutely believes what he says to be the correct path forward. These are his core beliefs which will not be changed by the direction of the blowing wind. They cannot be compromised, and much like the often disparaged Grover Norquist, Paul Ryan must always be respected for standing up for his core belief.
The second reason to be wary of any liberal celebration for the selection of Paul Ryan is raw intelligence. By all accounts, he (like Grover Norquist) is likable, articulate, intelligent, and often convincing to many. Like all polititians, he is gifted with a forked toungue, but his is gilded with the finest silver, able to convey his thoughts convincingly to any who may listen. He is also intricately familiar with the inner wokings of the national budget, which makes him able to quote figures of fiscal matters an innate gift.
Conviction and raw intelligence make Paul Ryan a formidible political figure, and one to never be under-estimated. He believes what he says, he can argue his beliefs, and do so extremely well. In my opinion, his fiscal strategy may be worse than any austerity measures taken by any nation thus far, but to discount his abilities would be the most myopic approach the Obama campaign, or any of its supporters, could possibly take.
Mr. Biden, keep a level head, and do your homework. You will need it against Paul Ryan.
-J. Fernsten